Nintendo Switch 2: 4K, 120fps, Enhanced Battery Life, and More

Nintendo's latest Direct has unveiled a wealth of information about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, offering insights into its advanced features and specifications. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of what you can expect from this next-generation console.

One of the most exciting upgrades is the Nintendo Switch 2's display. It boasts a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen capable of outputting at 1080p (1920x1080) resolution. This is a significant leap forward from the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen, the Switch OLED's 7-inch screen, and the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screen. While we'll miss the OLED technology, the larger screen size promises a more immersive gaming experience.

The Switch 2 also supports HDR10 and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 120 Hz, allowing for smoother gameplay with frame rates that can reach up to 120fps, provided the game and your setup support it.

When docked, the Switch 2 can output games at 4K (3840x2160) resolution at 60fps, or at 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. This enhanced performance is driven by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA," though specific details about the CPU/GPU remain undisclosed.

Battery life is another critical aspect, with the Switch 2 featuring a 5220mAh Lithium-ion battery. This allows for approximately 2 - 6.5 hours of gameplay and a three-hour charge time in Sleep mode. Nintendo has noted these are "rough estimates," and actual battery life will vary depending on the games played. This battery performance is comparable to the launch model of the original Switch but falls short of the newer models' battery life: the Nintendo Switch (4.5 - 9 hours), the Nintendo Switch - OLED Model (4.5 - 9 hours), and the Nintendo Switch Lite (3 - 7 hours).

In terms of dimensions, the Switch 2 measures approximately 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x .55 inches thick with the Joy-Con 2 attached. Without the Joy-Con 2, it weighs about .88 pounds, and with them, it tips the scales at 1.18 pounds. This matches the weight of the original Switch but is taller and longer than all current models with Joy-Con attached:

Nintendo Switch 2 - 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x .55 inches thick / .88 lbs
Nintendo Switch - 4 inches tall x 9.5 inches long x .55 inches thick / .88 lbs
Nintendo Switch - OLED Model - 4 inches tall x 9.5 inches long x .55 inches thick / .93 lbs
Nintendo Switch Lite - 3.6 inches tall x 8.2 inches long x .55 inches thick / .61 lbs

Regarding the Joy-Con, there's no confirmation yet on whether they will feature Hall Effect joysticks, which could prevent the drifting issues faced by many Switch owners. A 2023 patent hinted at this possibility, but we'll have to wait for official confirmation.

On the audio front, the Switch 2 supports linear PCM output 5.1ch, and a surround sound effect can be enabled via headphones or the built-in speaker after a system update.

For storage, the Switch 2 comes with 256 GB of internal storage, a notable upgrade from the 32 GB in the Switch and Switch Lite, and the 64 GB in the Switch - OLED Model. However, it requires microSD Express cards for up to 2TB of extra storage, meaning the microSDXC cards used in current Switch models won't be compatible with the new console.

Other features include support for Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6), two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm 4-contact stereo mini-plug (CTIA standard), and a built-in monaural microphone with noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control.

For more details, be sure to check out our recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, information on the new system's pricing, a list of launch games, and when pre-orders will start.